APH Teams Up with the National Corvette Museum to Broaden Accessibility’s Reach

Helen Keller once said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Those words rang true again after what at first seemed like a loss, became an evident win.  

Rewind to April 2023 when APH’s Tactile Town, an interactive 3D model that teaches spatial concepts and cognitive mapping skills, was entered in the 2023 Coolest Things Made in Kentucky Tournament. Hosted by the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers (KAM), the tournament allows companies and the public in the Commonwealth the opportunity to nominate a product manufactured in Kentucky, choosing from among thousands of world-class products. Tactile Town made it to the semifinals, placing second to the Chevrolet Corvette.  

Sparked by a comment about placing a Corvette on Tactile Town, a partnership was born. This was the catalyst in leading the museum to becoming more accessible. The National Corvette Museum’s (NCM) then Director of Education and Outreach, Brian Baker, asked APH to assist in analyzing and evaluating their museum in an effort to enhance the experience for those who are blind or low vision.  

The partnership was announced on July 31, 2023, at the Kentucky School for the Blind’s circle drive. Multiple corvettes drove in from Bowling Green and APH’s Tactile Town was on full display─complete with Hot Wheels corvettes painted in APH brand colors. APH received a trophy from KAM and a factory tour followed the trophy presentation for those in attendance.  

Mathematics Product Manager, Li Zhou, and Communications Associate, Jessica Minneci, both had the opportunity to ‘see’ and sit in Corvette’s on display that day.

“APH employees got to see and touch Corvettes both old and new in various colors,” said Jessica. “Brian Baker described a Corvette to me, letting me touch the different parts of the vehicle and explaining what they do. He also let me sit in the driver’s seat and turn on the engine. I felt like I was on top of the world.”   

“We are excited that the ‘2023 Coolest Thing Made in Kentucky Tournament presented by Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance’ is producing such an admirable partnership between these two great companies,” said Frank Jemley, KAM President, and CEO. “The new collaboration between APH and General Motors stands as a prime example of the tournament’s impact, showcasing not only the ingenuity of Kentucky manufacturers but also fostering new partnerships that will have a lasting impact on accessibility.”  

Made entirely in house, APH was tasked with creating accessible plaques for the museum’s “Ground to Sky: The Sinkhole Reimagined” exhibit, which opened on June 14, 2024. Each plaque consisted of a tactile graphic along with a print raised braille description of what is being displayed. “When you think about accessibility, you think about APH,” said Mike Wood, APH’s Director of Product Development. 

The first order in what we hope is a long partnership with the National Corvette Museum in increasing their accessibility, the NCM plaques are something that brings awareness to the field that everyone can experience. “It’s an added benefit. A win for everyone involved─attendees, the museum, and APH,” said Andrew Moulton, APH’s Director of Technical and Manufacturing Research. 

APH looks forward to growing their partnership with NCM and building new ones to create more inclusive spaces for all.